Tensioning device for clotheslines



NOV. 6, 1928. I 1,690,957

v. P. TOMMINS TENSIONING DEVICE FOR CLTI-IESLINES Filed May 31, 1927 INVENTOR s 1 WITNES "Um went P. Tomrmns ATTORNEYS Patented Nov. 6, 1928.

PATENT OFFICE.

VINCENT P. TOMMINS, OF JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY.

TENSIONING DEVICE FOR CLOTHESLINES.

Application filed May 31,

This invention relates to a tensioning device to be used in con unctlonwith a clothesline.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a tensioning device or means adapted to be connected with the opposite ends of a length of clothesline to produce an endlessclothesline for use in conjunction with the usual anchored pulleys, and for protecting the clothesline against breaking on account of shrinkage of the clothesline due to continual wetting of the clothesline.

The nature of the invention and its distinguishing features and advantages will appear when the following specification is read in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which Figure l is a view illustrating a clothesline with. the tensioning device connected therewith.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional elevation illustrating the normal condition of the tensioning means.

Fig. 3 is a. view similar to Fig. 2 illustrating the condition of the tensioning means compensating for shrinkage of the clothesline.

The tensioning device 10 of the present invention is connected between the opposite ends of a length of clothesline to produce an endless support for the clothes which is adapted to be passed around pulleys anchored at different points. In the drawing the-clothesline is designated 11 and the pulleys are designated 12. The device 10 is in the form of a coil spring having a loop 13 at each end. Each loop 13 has connected therewith a link 14 having a loop or eye 15 at one end which connects with the loop 13, and a loop or eye 16 at the opposite end thereof with which one end of the clothesline is connected; The end of the clothesline is passed through the loop or eye 16 and is tied as at 17. A suitable housing 19 encloses the spring 10. The spring 10 in. its normally'contracted or unstrctched condition is shorter in length than the housing 19. The said housing includes a remov able end 20 which permits the spring to be arranged within the housing. The links 1% extend respectively through holes 21in the opposite ends of the housing. The links 1 1 are first connected with the loops 13 "of the spring 10, and one link is extendedthrough 1927. Serial No. 195,450:

- The loop or eye 16 is then formed. The spring 10 will then be arranged in the hcusing 19 and the opposite ends'of the clcthesline 11 may then be connected respectively with the loop or eye 16. The spring 10 will be in the condition shown in Fig. 2, contracted or unstretched in order to compensate for shrinkage. When the clothesline 10, due to the wetting shrinks, such shrinkage will be compensat-ed by the spring 10 which yields or stretches, as shown in Fig. 3. It will there fore be apparent that the clothesline 11. will be held taut at all times and will not be allowed to sag to any appreciable extent and will make it possible to suspend or hang the clothes in a proper manner.

It is to be understood that the device may be connected between one of the pulleys 12 and one of the hooks of one of the fixed supports, instead of connecting the device between the ends of the clothesline.

I claim:

1. The combination with a clothesline, of a coil spring, whose opposite ends are connected respectively with the opposite ends of the clothesline to make it endless to be passed around spaced anchored pulleys. and to take upslack, a sectional housing which encloses the spring, the spring in normal condition being shorter than the casing, portions connected with the spring extending respectively through the opposite ends of the housing.

2. A tensioning device consisting of a coil 6 spring, a link havinga terminal eye connected with each end of said coil spring, acasing closed at each end within which the coil spring is arranged, the spring in normal condition being-shorter than thecasing. said links respectively projecting loosely through the opposite ends of said casing. v l

3. A tensioning device consisting of a coil spring, a link having a terminal eye connected with each end of the coil spring. a casing open at one end, a closing wall at the opposite end, and a removable cap on the open end of the casing, said coil spring arranged within the casing, the spring in normal condition being shorter than the casing, and said links respectively projectingloosely through holes in the cap and closing end wall;

I VINCENT P. TOMMINS, 

